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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 4, 2007 Tax update The Associated Press What to expect at a glance Getting ready to file your income taxes? Here are some important facts about filing your 2006 return: FILING DEADLINE: April 17, 2007. The usual deadline, April 15, is on a Sunday, and the next day, April 16, is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, a legal holiday under a new city law. Although it's not a federal holiday — and the IRS will be open that day — the agency has extended the tax filing deadline to April 17 because of a federal statute that says District of Columbia holidays have a nationwide impact. This change came too late to be reflected in IRS forms and publications for the 2006 tax year, which had already been printed. FILING EXTENSION: Advertisement Automatic six-month extension to Oct. 15, as long as Form 4868 is filed by the April deadline. WHAT'S NEW: For taxpayers who itemize, there are stricter rules for charitable deductions of household goods; items donated after Aug. 17, 2006 must be in "good used condition or better" to qualify for the deduction. Inflation-related increases for: personal and dependent exemptions; standard deductions; thresholds at which certain tax benefits begin to phase out; maximum income for claiming earned income credit; slight increase in income threshold for phase-out of deduction for IRA contributions by joint filers already covered by a retirement plan at work. Age at which teens are subject to the "kiddie" tax on investment income is raised to under 18. Telephone tax rebate: Taxpayers can claim a standard refund of $30 to $60, depending on the number of exemptions checked on the tax return. (If you have records of actual taxes paid for service billed between March 2003 and July 2006, you may claim that amount; file Form 8913.) Even if you aren't required to file a tax return — perhaps your income was too low — you can still get the refund. There's a new form, 1040 EZ-T, for this purpose. ENERGY CREDITS: Available for certain energy-saving home improvements and for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. REFUNDS: For the first time, the IRS will split a taxpayer's refund into three different financial accounts, such as checking, savings and retirement accounts; file Form 8888. To check refund status go to the IRS Web site at http:www.irs.gov and click on the "Where's My Refund?" link on the left. When prompted, enter your Social Security Number, filing status and exact amount of the refund shown on your 2006 tax return. Or, call the refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954. IRS FORMS/PUBLICATIONS: Download these at http:www.irs.gov by navigating to "Forms and Publications" — or order by mail by calling 1-800-829-3676. ONLINE TAX HELP: http:www.irs.gov. This is a robust Web site with links to every tax topic. There are interactive tools for calculating withholding and earned income credit, along with interactive history lessons, games and "Tax Trivia." PHONE TAX HELP: 1-800-829-1040 for individuals, 1-800-829-4059 (TDD) for those with hearing impairment, 1-800-829-4933 for businesses. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help